Closure making machine



Nov. 3, 1953 Filed April 22, 1949 H. z. GoRA 2,657,426

` CLOSURE MAKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet l Snventor 'Hg/wy Z. Ca/1w Gttornegs Nov. 3, 1953 v H. z. GORA cLosuRE MAKING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 o uw I nventr I Hen/"y Z.' 60rd/ Cttornegs H. Z. GORA CLOSURE MAKING MACHINE Nov. 3, 1953 Filed April 22. 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Snnento vflew/jy Z 'ow Gttorneg-.s

Nov. 3, 1953 H. z. GORA CLOSURE MAKING MACHINE 'Filed April 22, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 2 p inventor Hen/jy Z. 60rd/ Hmm WMM

Gttornegs Nov. 3, 1953 H. z. GoRA oLosuRE MAKING MACHINE:

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 22. 1949 `Zhwentcn: en/jy Z. 60rd/ Gttomegs Nov. 3, 1953 H. z. GQRA 2,657,426

CLOSURE MAKING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 W 01u/KW Gttornegs Patented Nov. 3, y1953 CLO SURE MAKING MACHINE Henry Z. Gora, Stratford, Conn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application April 22, 1949, Serial No. 89,088

16 Claims. l

This invention relates to the manufacture of l composite articles, and in particular to the manuvto engage and seal the edge of the jar adjacent its mouth.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved automatic machine of high productive capacity for continuously producing annular gaskets and adhering them to closure members in a continuous operation.

A further object is to provide an improved method of continuously producing closure members having annular gaskets secured therein.

A feature of the invention is the provision of 4an automatic machine for continuously forming annular gaskets from a continuous strip of plastic gasket material and then depositing the gaskets in and adhering them to a succession of closure members in a continuous operation.

Y A further feature of the invention is the provision of automatic mechanism wherein a continuously moving strip of gasket material is guided between gasket forming dies which cut successive gasket rings from the strip during movement thereof past a first operating station and f deposit such rings in successive die members for transfer thereby to a second operating station where they are deposited in successive closure members under operating conditions which cause them to adhere to the closures.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a machine constructed and arranged to have high productive capacity Without, howlever, requiring a correspondingly high speed in Athe cutting movement of the dies when cutting gaskets from the strip of gasket material. This permits operating the dies at the most efficient cutting speed without limiting the speed of operation of the machine or its output.

A further feature is the provision of a plasticzing mill for gasket material having mill rollers which are spaced apart suciently to produce the relatively large quantity of plasticized material required for continuous quantity production,

while at the same time providing a relatively "thin, continuous strip of gasket material, the" 2 thickness of which substantially corresponds with that of the relatively thin finished gaskets.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention, one embodiment of which is hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a View in elevation of a plasticizing mill illustrative of certain features of the invention and forming a part of the present machine.

Fig, 2 is a view in elevation of a rotary Idie carrier constituting another part of the machine and illustrative of further features of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 looking from the right of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a machine assembly illustrative of one embodiment of the invention and of a preferred method of operation.

Figs. 5 to 9 are sectional detail views through one of the pairs of cooperating relatively movable die members carried by the rotary die carrier shown in Figs. 2 and 3, illustrating the sequence of operations in forming an annular gasket and applying it to a closure member.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken at right angles to the views of Figs. 5 to 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a machine detail illustrating one form of mechanism for feeding closure members to the rotary die carrier.

Fig. 12 is an elevation of a row of gasket cutting dies as illustrated in Figs. 5 to 1U.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of one form of an escapement mechanism for controlling the gravity feed of closure members to the rotary die carrier.

Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional views of certain mechanical details,

Fig. 16 is a View in elevation of an ejector device for ejecting the waste centers from the annular gasket rings after the latter are cut.

Figs. 17 and 18 are sectional views on the lines I'l--l'i and l8-l8 respectively, of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view through a nished closure member with the annular gasket adherently applied thereto in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a plan View of the mill rollers shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 21 illustrates one form of mechanism for taking up the slack in the radially inner area of the strip of gasket material as it is curved edgewise during movement with the cutting dies.

Fig. 22 is a section showing an alternative type of mechanism for supplying the gasket forming material.

In accordance with this invention, a batch 2l of gasket material is subjected to the operation of a plasticizing or warming device to produce gasket material having the desired plastic and moldable qualities for the production of closure-- lining gaskets and their application to closure members. Such a device may be of any desired type suohfor example, as screw operated extruding machine 29, as shown in Fig. 22, or a roller mill as shown in Fig. l. The device illustrated-in Fig. 1, for example, comprises a pair of rollers 22 and 23 mounted on shafts 24 and 25, respectively, rotatably supported in the machine frame 26,. The supporting shafts are connected by' gears 28 and 29 of different pitch diameter for the purpose of operating the rollers at different speeds to produce the desired milling effect, Qne of the roller supporting shafts, suchas the shaft 2:1, is supported in bearing blocks 3l slidably mounted in slots 32, see Fig. l, in the machine frame to permit adjustment of the spacing. between the mill, rollers. Bearing adjusting screwsy `33 are threaded in the machine frame and engage the bearing blocks 3l for limiting the4 spacing of the rcliersjwhich are pressed apart in operation by same thickness as the. nished gaskety when apf plied to a closure member. As illustrated in Fig. 2Q, one of the mill rollers 22 has its surface relieved at each side of a central portion il which constitutes a land between roller areas ft2 of reduced diameter. provided slots 43 between the rollers 22 andl 23 of sufcient size to plast-icizematerial from the batch 2l in the desiredvolume, while the land il forms a slot le with the roller 213 suliicientl-y thin and of such widthl as to provide a strip Silv having the desired dimension. A pair of rotary cutters 45 are positioned in contact with the central portion 4 l of the roller 22.

The mill can be driven by any suitable driving means suc-h as a Variable speed electric motor 46 connectedby a driving belt Il? to a pulley i8 secured te a shaft 49 rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 5l 'supportedv on the machine frame 26. A gear 5 3v on the shaft is meshes with and drives a large gear e@ on the roller shaft 215.

rllhe strip 3s, formed by' this or any other mechanism, is subjected to the operation of die members which cut gaskets from the strip and apply the cut gaskets to closure members. For thisA purpose, the illustrated machine comprises a plurality of pairs of cooperating die members 611, 62, mounted for relative movement along rectilinear lines on a rotary die carrier 63 which is shown as having a periph-eral slot et, the cooperating dies t, 52, of each pair being mounted on opposite sides of the slot. In the illustrated embodiment, each die member S2y has an outer circular cutting edge 65 formed on theendv of a cutter cylinder 6e secured in an opening fisc formed in the die carrier at one side ofthe slot 6 4. An inner circular cutting edge 6l', see Fig. 5 which is concentric with the outer cutting edge 65 and spaced radially inward'Y therefrom al distance corresponding to the width of the annular gasket, is formed on the end of an inner cutter The relieved surface areas i2 .x

cylinder 68 bolted to the bottom of the cuter cutter cylinder e5 by suitable clamping bolts 69. In this way the cutting edges 515 and 5l are rigidly secured together in radially spaced, concentric relationship, so that when the strip 3e of gasket material is pressed against them, an annular gaskety ll will be cut there-from and retained between the concentric cutting edges. At the same time, an inner central disk l2 of waste material is cut from the center of the annular gasket 7H, as shown, for example, in Figs. 6, 7 and: 8. This waste disk is ejected by mechanism hereafter described.

Each die member 52 includes mechanism for transferring the out gasket 'il from its position between the circular cutting edges S5, 6l and depositing it in a closure member lf3. As illustrated, this mechanism includes a circular transfer surface 'lll which is formed on the end of a transfer cylinder 'l5 mounted for sliding movement between and past the cutting edges through the annular space between them. The transfer cylinder 'l5 slidably engages the inner surface of the outer cutter cylinder E@ and the outer surface of the inner cuttercylinder The inner end of the transfer cylinder is connected by a pin T6 extending through slot 'il in the wall of the inner cutter cylinder t3 to an operating plunger i8. The plunger 'it is slidably supported in aV bushing 'le extending through the bottom of the outer cutter cylinder The plunger 'lli has a cam follower El mounted on a stud 82 threaded in the side of each plunger. The cam follower 8| engages an arcuate plunger retracting cam 83 for retracting the transfer cylinder 'E5 and holding it in retracted positionV for a determinate part of the circuit through which the die member 612 is moved by rotation of the carrier t3. As shown in Fig. 3, an arcuate transfer operating cam 85 is mounted between the ends of the retractin-g cam 33 to engage the end of the plunger 'i3 so as to move it to and project the transfer cylinder l5 outwardly past the cutters for the purpose of transferring the cut gasket ll from its position between the cutters to position it in a closure member, as more fully describedv hereafter.

As shown in Figs. l0 and 2l, each die member 62 includes a yieldable ring 86 slidably mounted on the ends of through bolts l, the heads 88 of which bear against the outer side of the die car-v Yi-ts outer face el is positioned beyond the plane of the cutting edges. The yielding plate S6 provides a holding surface as later described for the stripI of gasket material when the latterV is pressed' against the gasket cutting knives.

Each cooperating die Ymember 6l is movable relative to the asseciated die member S2 for the purpose of pressing gasket material placed between them into contact with the gasket cutting knives 65, 6l', to out the gasket il therefrom. As illustrated, each cooperating die member 6l comprises a circular die face @l formed on the end of a presser diel member 92 slidably mounted in an opening 92a formed in the die carrier 63 on the side of the slot 6 opposite to the die member 6i.. Each die member 9,3 includes a plunger 93 slidably mounted in a bushing et and projecting outwardly on the opposite, side of the die carrier. The end of each plunger S3 has a cam follower, such as a roller 95,- adapted to engage an arcuate plunger-projecting` cam 95 for Yprojecting the die member 92 outwardly to 'press'the interlvening strip 30 of gasket material against the gasket forming cutters B5, 61 as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Asshown in Fig. 5, the die face 9| is slightly concave for the purpose of lessening its area oi contact with the gasket material to avoid any tendency of gasket material adhering thereto.

For the same purpose, each plunger 93 is secured to the associated die member 92 by a threaded -bolt 93a. having a head 93h projecting slightly 'beyond the concave die face 9| to assist in keepling the gasket material out of contact with the die face. Each plunger 93 is provided with a 'second cam follower illustrated as a roller 91 `mounted on a pin 98 projecting radially outward vfrom the plunger 93 through slots 99 and 99a yformed in the bushing 94 and the wall of the die carrier 63, respectively. The cam follower v91 is adapted to engage an arcuate plungerretracting cam for retracting and holding vthe plunger 93 and die face 9| in retracted, inoperative position during a predetermined part -of the movement with the carrier 63.

- The continuous strip 30 of gasket material is guided edgewise into the die carrier slot 64 between the pairs of cooperating dies for movement therewith through a part of the circuit through `which the dies move. In manufacturing ringyshaped gaskets for wide mouth jars, the diameter vof the gaskets requires a relatively wide strip 30.

Obviously, the necessity of curving the strip edgewise about a line outside the strip and at Yright angles to the plane of the strip for movement along the curved circuit of the die members in the plane of the strip will have a wrinkling Yeffect upon the inner edge of the strip which tends to assume a smaller radius of curvature than the outer edge of the strip, unless some means is provded for overcoming this tendency. As illustrated, such wrinkling of the strip as would inter- `fere with proper formation of gasket rings is prevented by tapered guide plates |02, one of which is positioned edgewise between successive cutting die members 62, with the higher end |03 of the taper positioned radially inward of the die carrier. When the presser dies 92 are projected outwardly to press the strip 30 against the assostantially flat and the resulting gasket 1| has the desired, proper, ring shape.

It will be apparent that movement of the presser Adie member 92 must be accurately controlled in 'pressing the thin strip 30 against the cutting edges 95, 61, and that the die member 92 must be projected just far enough to cause the cutting edges to cut the gasket without damaging either the cutting edges or the face of the die member 9|. For this purpose mechanism is provided for accurately adjusting the position of the die pro- Y jecting cam 96. As illustrated, see Fig. 15, the cam is mounted for sliding movement on guide pins |04, see Fig. 2, toward and from the die plunger 93 for adjusting the point to which the die 92 is projected. The cam 96 is secured to a pin |05 extending through the frame 26 and a supporting frame member |06 and having its outer end rigidly connected to a plate |01, a helical spring |08 surrounding the pin between the machine frame and the plate |01 so as to normally Lpress the pin and cam 96 outwardly, or to the that die 92 6 left as shown in Fig. 15. The presser plate |01 is yieldingly pressed inwardly, or to the right in Fig. 15, by a bolt |09 threaded through a backing plate mounted on the ends of long bolts ||2 extending outwardly from the machine frame on opposite sides of the plate |01. The outer end of the threadedbolt has a crank arm ||3 and its inner end engages a wear member ||4 seated in A helical spring adjust the cam 96 inwardly and shift the limit of projection of the die 92 toward the cutter 65, v61.

On the other hand, rotation of the bolt |09 in the opposite direction will relieve the pressure on the plate |01 permitting the spring |60 to retract the cam 96 with the result is projected a lesser distance toward the cutters 65, 61. When the die 92 is projected into gasket cuttingY position as Ashown in Fig. 6, the end of the transfer plunger 18 engages the face of a backing cam |20 for accurately locating the gasket engaging face 14 of the cylindrical transfer member 15. This face is so positioned relative to the cutting edges 65, 61, that the gasket 1i is pressed against the transfer face 14 in the cutting operation, and the cam |26 resists all tendency to displace the transfer face and cylinder during the cutting operation.

The transfer operating cam is accurately positioned for operating the plunger 18 by threaded studs |2|, see Fig. 3, which are threaded in the frame member |22. Cap bolts |23 are employed to draw the cam member tightly against the ends of the studs |2|. The transfer cylinder retracting cam 83 is illustrated as mounted on supporting pins |24, see Fig. 3, secured to machine frame, while the retracting cam |0| for the die 92 is supported on spaced bracket arms |25.

It will be apparent that the operation of cutting the annular ring-shaped gasket 1| from the strip 30 also cuts a central waste disk 12 from the material within the ring-shaped gasket.

This disk adheres to the inner face of the inner cutter 61, see Figs. 6, '7, 8, and must be disposed of. The illustrated mechanism for ejecting this waste disk comprises a rotary ejector |3| mounted on a rotary shaft |32 supported in a bear- .ing |33 mounted on a machine frame. The shaft |32 is driven by any suitable means such as a star wheel |34 having spaced radial arms |35 Ladaptedto be engaged by the successive projecting ends of the bushings 94 through which -the die plungers 93 extend. As the die carrier 163 rotates the bushings successively engage and operate the star wheel. The ejector wheel has a plurality of radial arms |36 having end faces |31, see Figs. 16 and 1'1, from which project pointed, disk-engaging ejector pins I 38 which are caused by rotation of the wheel to penetrate successive waste disks 12 and eject them from the machine, the disks being wiped off the pins |38 by a wiper blade |39.

After cooperating dies have moved through the gasket cutting station they rotate away from the perforated strip 30 which is then returned to. the plasticizing; mill. overA an. idler roller |4| .and between. a pair ofv power driven strip return rollers |42.. The latter are driven by a chain |43 connecting a gear |44 on the.- shaft of one of the4 rollersA |42 with. a gear |45 mounted on the pulley shaft 49..

After cutting, the gasket ring 1|, individual closure. members 13. are successively fed` into position on the die carrier between. each pair of cooperating dies. As illustrated,V a closure holding pocket |41, see Fig..v 11,4 is provided in the die: carrier adjacent the outer end of eac-h die bore 92a, see Fig. 9. The leading wall |48 of each. pocket, relative to the direction of rota.- tion of the. die carrier 63, is inclined forwardly as shown in Fig. 11. to provide a wide entrance mouth to the pocket and give a closure member sufIic-ient time to drop into, the pocket as: it moves past the lower end of a feed-chute |5|. The latter is supplied with the closure members from any suitable source, not shown, and extends vertically downward to a point just above the top of the die carrier, so that the closurev members 13I can be fed by gravity into they successive pockets as the die carrier rotates.

In the present machine, an escapement mechanism. for controlling the gravity feed of the closures to successive pockets one at a time is provided. As illustrated, it comprises a rod |52 slidably mounted in spaced brackets |53,v |54 and normally spring pressed into closure-holding position by a helicall spring 655 surrounding the rod and. compressed between the bracket |54 and a, collar |56 secured to the rod |52. The rod is periodically retracted against the pressure of the spring to release the bottom closure in the chute. by a finger |51 secured to the upper end of a vertical. shaft; |158 having a crank arm |59 secured to the opposite, lower, end thereof. The outer: end of the; crank arm |59 is formed with a cam surf-.ace |6| for successive engagement by the heads 8'8 on the outer circle. of the through boits which. support the yielding plates 8.6,. as hereinabove described.V As each bolt head moves past the; carni-shaped end. of. the crank arm: |59, the escapement rod |52- is. withdrawn. from ensagement with. the bottom closure. member |46 long enough to permit the latter to drop into the subiacent pocket. |411 in. the` die carrier as the latter moves pastthe lower end of: the chute 115m The escapement spring |55 immediately snaps: the. escapement rod |52 backz into the chute to stop the; descent of the. following closure member. until the crank: arm |159; is aga-in actuated. by the following bolty head 86.. Ob.- viously, the operation of the escape-ment is thus automatically timed, and coordinated with the movement of the. pocketsv lil past the chute |.:5,t.

The die carrier is. rotated, and its speed of rotation coordinated with, the speed of rotation of mil-l rollers; 22, 23, and hence withthe speed of' travel of the. strip 39:, by a driving chain. lr6-2 connecting a, gear |63 on the die carrier supsghaft with. a. gear |64 on the mill roller shaft 251..

After; the gaskets are transferred to the closure members and` adhered thereto, the; composi-te members drop out` of the pockets4 M1: by gravity from the bottom. of; the. die. carrier as it. rotates.

Mechanism is provided for both applying a mold lubricant to the faces of' the. dies. 92g and thismechanism is` so arranged as to. automatically check. each pocketv IM' to.A make certain that, no closure; member remains therein, inasmuch as failure of a closure memberA to; drop out of a pocket would stall the next: operation of the die membersin cutting the. next ring-shaped' gas.- ket 1| As illustrated, this mechanism comprises a lubricant conveying wick |66, see Figs. 3- and 14, supported on a. bracket |61 and supplied with lubricant from any desired source, not shown. A safety cam linger |68 on a pin |69. is slidably mounted in the machine frame and yieldingly held by coil springs |1| in position to engage-the cam follower rollers on the. ends of the successive.- die plungersl 93. The cam fingerv |68: is so positioned` that, as the successive die plungers 93 engage.V the fingers seriatim,each die member 92 is moved outwardlyl just sufficient to cause the die face 9| to wipe past the lubricant supplying wick |66, as shown in Fig,4 14; In this operation, thev dies 92 move across` the closure retaining pockets |41. Hence, should a closure member fail to be'v ejected and consequently remain in any pocket. for any reason, its. presence; in the pocket will prevent outward movement of the die 92 and die plunger 93 by the cam finger |68. Under such conditions, movementof the blocked plunger 93 past the cam nger |68 forcesV both the. finger and thel supporting rod |169 to be shifted. outwardly, to the left in Fig. 14, to operate a micro switch arm |12. This,` in turn,V operates a micro safety switch |13 in the circuit of the driving motor 46, see Fig- 2, and shuts. off operatie-n of thema-chine.

An additional safety feature is pro-vided by a cammember |81! movably mounted in a bracket |82 on the retracting cam till and located at the topof the die carrier to engage the rollers 91 on. the plunger pins 98 tov insure retraction of the die members. 92 totheir full extent so as to clear the closure receiving pocket` |41 for reception of the closures 13. The cam |8I. is yieldingly held in operative position by springs |83.

In operation, it will be apparent that the continuous strip 30 of gasket material is moved continuously through a closed path which includes the plasticizing mill, and that the series of cooperating, relatively removable dies 6|: 62, are themselves moved through a closed circuit. The path of the gasket material and the circuit of the die members coincide for a. predetermined distance. For movement through` the coincident path and circuit, the stripy 39 of gasket material isV guided edgewise into the die carrier slot 64 between the cooperating dies 6|, 62, of each pair, as shown in Fig. 5, for example. Thereupon, as shown in Figs. 6- to l0, the plungers 93 of successive dies 92. are moved, seriatim by engagement with the cam- 99 topress the strip of material against the gasket cutters 65, 6.1,. to cut ringshaped gaskets 1|v and press them in succession against the transfer faces 1li sufliciently to cause themy to temporarily adhere thereto. Atv the same timeY each inner waste disk 12 is frictionally retained by the inner surface of the inner cutter 6.1 and temporarilyv held therein.

During cutting, the radially inner portion, of the strip Sil' is given an undulating shape by the tapered plates; |62 as best shown. in Fig. 21, in order to compensate for the shorter length of the. innen, curved portion of the strip. By this means the sections of thel strip 30 between the tapered plates i92-Y can be. pressed by the plunger dies` 93 'against thV gasket; cutting knives in substantially flat condition to accuratelyform gaskets having the desired' ring. shape.. Thereupon, rotation of the. carrier 63.Y causesl the retracting camv itilv to` successively engagel the rollers 91 on the plungers 93 and retract the dies `92 back into the bores 92a. At this point the coincident travel of the strip 30 and the cooperating dies 5|, 62 is terminated and the perforated strip is returned by the power driven return rollers |42 to the batch 2| of unplasticized material to be reincorporated therein and again returned to the forming dies. Retraction of the dies 92 clears the closure-receiving pockets |41 which then pass successively under the feeder chute |5|. Each bolt head 88 operates the escapement mechanism permitting the bottom closure to drop by gravity into the associated pocket |41 as it passes beneath the end of the chute. Thereupon the die members move successively past the ejector Wheel |3| which is positioned at such an angle that the beveled edge |31 wipes past the center waste disk 12. The latter is pierced by the ejector prong |38 and bodily removed by the wiper blade |39. Thereafter the transfer cam 35 engages the end oi the transfer plunger 18, moving the transfer -cylinder 15 bearing the gasket 1| on its end face 14 across the slot 64 and pressing the gasket into the closure member 13 in the opposite pocket |41 under suiiicient pressure to cause it to adhere to the closure member. In order t0 assist this operation the closure members may, if desired, be heated to a higher temperature than the transfer cylinder 15 by any suitable 'a means such for example, as a tube |15 positioned adjacent the feed chute 15| and through which heating fluid is passed. The die carrier 'E3 is itself provided with fluid channels |16, |11,

see Fig. 10 through which temperature controli ample, the lined closures can drop from the carrier `|53 onto a belt IBI passing around a roller |82 and arranged to carry the closures and gaskets through a suitable heating zone such, for example, as a curing oven |83.

In the operation of the present machine, it

will be apparent that the die carrier I|53 can be rotated at a relatively high speed to produce lined closure members at a high rate of production without, however, requiring the cutting speed of the gasket cutting dies being raised above a practical and ecient rate. Inasmuch as the speed of operation of the cutting dies can be fixed at any predetermined rate by suitably forming the slope of the `die projecting cam 96, it will be apparent that the cutting speed of the dies can, therefore, be fixed independently of the speed of rotation of the die carrier 63 and the rate of production of the machine. The relative movement of the cooperating dies is entirely on rectilinear lines, although the dies themselves rotate continuously through a closed circuit in order to obtain the advantageous high production of a continuous operation.

Also, by rotating the die carrier 63 in a vertical plane and feeding the strip 3|] of gasket material vertically upward along one side of the carrier, it is possible to feed the unlined closure members into the carrier at the top, and expel the lined closures at the bottom by gravity.

The invention can be variously modified and adapted and portions of the improvements can be used without others.

I claim:

1. A machine for continuously applying gasket rings to container caps comprising a plurality of pairs of cooperating gasket-forming dies; rotatably mounted means for supporting said dies and advancing the same continuously; means for guiding a continuous strip of gasket material for movement into the path of said dies and between the cooperating dies of each pair as they advance to advance therewith; means controlled by the movement of the supporting means for successively closing said pairs of dies on said strip to form a gasket in one of each pair of dies from the material of said strip as the dies advance; means for successively opening said pairs of dies to free the strip therefrom; means for feeding a continuous succession of caps to insert one at a time between said pairs of opened dies in alignment with the gasket in one of each pair as they pass a given point; means controlled by the movement of the supporting means for transferring the gasket in eachV of said dies to the cap aligned with it while the supporting means continues to advance and pressing the gasket into adhering Contact with the cap; and means whereby the gasket-carrying caps are ejected one by one as they pass a delivery station.

2. A machine for continuously applying gasket rings to container caps comprising a plurality of pairs of cooperating dies, one of each pair having a cavity for receiving and forming an annular gasket; rotatably mounted means for supporting said dies and advancing the same continuously; means for guiding a continuous strip of gasket material for movement' into the path of saiddies and between the cooperating dies of each pair as they advance to advance therewith; a cam in the path of the movement of the dies for successively closing said pairs of dies on said strip to form a gasket in each die having a cavity from the material of said strip as the dies advance; a cam in the path of said dies for successively opening said pairs of dies to freev the strip therefrom; means for feeding a continuous succession of caps to `place one at a time between said pairs of opened die members in alignment with the gasket in one of each pair as they pass a given point; another cam in the path of said dies; means on each gasket-carrying die operated by said lastnamed cam for transferring the gasket to the cap aligned with it While the supporting means continues to advance and pressing the gasket into adhering contact with the cap; and means Whereby the gasket-carrying caps are ejected one by one as they pass a delivery station.

3. A machine for continuously applying gasket rings to container caps comprising a plurality of lpairs of cooperating dies, one of each pair having a cavity for receiving and forming an annular gasket and a cavity for receiving and holding a disk-like portion cut from the material within the annulus; rotatably mounted means for supporting said dies and advancing the same continuously; means for guiding a strip of gasket material for movement into the path of said dies and between the cooperating dies of each pair as they advance to advance therewith; means controlled by the movement of the supporting means for successively closing said pairs of .dies on said assenso il?. strip `to Storm a gasket including a disk-dike ,portion 1in leach die.; means for .successivelyiopening said .pairs fof idiemembers to tree the strip thererom; :means forremoving said diskslikeiportions from `ithe dies; means for feeding a continuous succession of caps to insert "one Aat atim'e between said pairs of opened dies in alignment with .the :gasket :in one v'of each *pair ias :they .pass ra :given point; means controlled by the movement ofthe supporting means for transferring :the vgasket in each of said dies to lthe cap `aligned v/ithsit -whi-le the supporting means :continues to advance and pressing the gasket into adhering Contact with .the cap; and means whereby the gasket-carrying caps :are ejected one by vone as they pass a delivery station.

'4, LA machine comprising la plasticizing mill, mechanism for continuously guiding a strip vof gasket material :from v'said mill through a closed path and returningsaid strip Ato said mil'l; la plurality vof relatively movable cooperating diemernbers; means for vcontinuously moving .said members in succession through a closed `circuit `coinciding in part with ya predetermined portion lof Vthe closed :path or" said strip so Ythat during said part `of its movement Vthe strip is located ibetween fand moves 'with said lcooperating 'die members; means Ifor .causing said Amembers 'to move relatively to eachother transversely "to the Idirection of their movement along said cir-cuit 'to zcut an annular `ring-shaped gasket from said strip; means for positioning closure members between each pair of cooperating die members l" Formovement therewith along a different section :of vsaid ycircuit :separated from the closed path of .said strip; and 'means for .causing said die members to move relatively to each other and deposit said `gaskets in said closure `members during movement thereof through said separate circuit section.

.5. .A machine comprising 'a .plasticizing mill, mechanism for continuously vguiding .a strip of gasket material .from .said mill through a .closed path 'and'returni-ng saiid strip to said mill; .a plurality .of relativelyimovable cooperating die meml bers; ,meansor 'continuously moving .said memfbers iin succession through .a closed circuit coinciding in part with a predetermined portion of -t-he closed path of said 'strip so that during said part of its movement thefstrip is located between and moves with said cooperating die members; 4means -for :causing said .members to move relatively to each other transversely to the .direction :of their movement along said circuit to cut a gasket :ring :and center disk from said strip; means tfor positioning closure members Ibetween each ,pair of cooperating die members for movement therewith along :a different section of said circuit .separated 'from the closed `path of said strip; means for removing the center disks from within said gasket ring; and means for causing said die .members to move relatively to each other vand: -deposit said :gasket ring in said closure members during movement thereof through said separate vcircuit section.

6. ,A machine -for applying annular gaskets toy container closures comprising 4a 'series Vof cooperating relatively movable die members; means :for continuously moving said die members in a closed :circuit past successive operating stations; means means at said first operating station for causing I successive pairs of die members to move relatively toward'eachfother to zforma circular `blank and :simultaneously cut an annular lgasket .from said blank :and deposit the gasket `in one of said die members during movement thereof pa-st 4said station; :means vfor separating said yrelatively movable die members as they leave said rst .operating :station and move away `from `said istrip and `before they reach a second loperatingstation; means `for inserting za 'container :closure 'between said fdie .members 'at said second operating station; and means for depositing the Eformed gasket :on ithe facmg vsurface 'of the :closure .member with :sufficient pressure to :insure adhesion.

A machine for applying :annular gaskets to 4container closures comprising fa 'series rof cooperating relatively 'movable Idie members; means vfor continuously moving said die members in -a'olosed circuit past .successive operating stations; means for guiding :a continuous ystrip of vgasket material lbetween said cooperating die mem-bers for move- .ment 'therewith past za iirst coperating station; means at .said first operating station .for causing successive pairs :of die members to .move relatively toward each lother toI rio-rma circular blank and :simultaneously "out ran `annular' gasket surrounding Va :central disk from fsaid blank and "de- Zposit 'the :gasket in -one yof said A.die members :during movement thereof past 'said station; means `for separating :said relatively movable die members as'they leave ysaid :first :operating :station and move away from said strip and before they reach -a second operating station; means for :inserting a container 'closure between said die :members :at said second operating station; means for .removing the central fdisk from the die member; and means for depositing :the :annular .gasket on Athe facing :surf ace oi the fclosure member with .sufficient pressure to insure adhesion.

f8. A machine "for applying annular gaskets to 'container .closures :comprising :a series of Icooperating'relatively imovable :die members; means for continuously :moving :said die members in 'a closed circuit .past successive operating stations; means for guiding a continuous stripof gasket material between said cooperating fdie members for movement therewith past fa 'first loperating station; 'means at said iirst operating rstation for causing successive pairs of .die members to move -relatively toward each 'other to .form a circular blank and simnitaneously -cut :an annular gasket surrcunding a central disk said blank and deposit the gasket 5in one fof :said die .members during movement thereof past said station; lmeans for :separating :said relatively Imovable 'die members as `they leave :said trst operati-ng .station 'and move away vfrom said :strip and before they reach a second operating station; means vfor inserting a container closure .between said die members :at 'said :second operating station; means including a rotary ejector having a pointed prong for penetrating 'and removing .the central disk of material trom the center .of the -die member; and means for 4depositing the formed gasket on the surface of the closure 'member with :sufcient pressure to insure adhesion.

9. A .machine for :applying annular gaskets to container Vvclosures comprising a series of cooperating relatively movable die members; means continuously .moving said die members in a closed path past successive operati-ng stations; means tor guiding fa continuous strip of :gasket material between :said lcooperating die members for movement therewith past -a rst ope-rating station; means at said .first operating station tor causing :successive pairs 'of die members to .move

relatively toward each other to blank an annu-v lar gasket from said strip and deposit the gasket in one of said die members during movement thereof past said station; means for separating said relatively movable die members as they leave said first operating station and move away from said strip, and before they reach a second operating station; means for inserting a container closure between said die members at said second operating station; and means for depositing the annular gasket on the facing surface of the closure member with sufficient pressure to insure adhesion.

10. A machine for applying annular gaskets to container closures comprising a series of cooperating relatively movable die members; means for continuously moving said die members in a closed path past successive operating stations; means for guiding a continuous strip of gasket material between said cooperating die members for movement therewith past a first operating station; means at said rst operating station for causing successive pairs of die members to move relatively toward each other to blank an annular gasket from said strip and deposit the gasket in one of said die members during movement thereof past Vsaid station; means for separating said relatively movable die members as they leave said first operating station and move away from said strip, and before they reach a second operating station; means for inserting a container closure between said die members at said second operating station; and means forming a part of the gasketholding die member for depositing the annular gasket on the surface of the closure member with suiiicient pressure to insure adhesion.

11. A machine for applying annular gaskets to container closures comprising a series of cooperating relatively movable die members; means for continuously moving said die members in a closed `circuit past successive operating stations; a source of gasket material; means for guiding a continuous strip of gasket material from said source between said cooperating die members for movement therewith past a rst operating station; means at said irst operating station for causing successive pairs of die members to move relatively toward each other to blank an annular gasket from said strip and deposit the gasket in one of said die members during movement theref of past said station; means for separating said relatively movable die members as they leave said rst operating station and move away from said strip, and before they reach a second `operating station; means for inserting a container closure between said die members at said second operating station; means for pressing the formed gasket on the facing surface ofthe closure member with sufficient pressure to insure adhesion; and means for returning the remainder of the strip to said source.

12. A machine comprising in combination a plurality of pairs of cooperating relatively movable die members; a carrier for moving said pairs of die members successively through a curved path; means fo-r guiding a relatively wide strip of moldable material edgewise between said cooperating die members for movement therewith along at least a part of said curved path in the plane of the strip whereby the side edges of the strip form radially curved inner and outer edges of different radii of curvature; means located between each successive pair of cooperating die members including strip guiding portions located adjacent an inner curved edge of the strip and out of the cutting plane of said pairs of die mem-g bers for taking up the slack in the area adjacentthe inner edge of the curved strip to compensate for the differing radii of curvature between the radially inner and outer edges of said strip tol prevent wrinkling of said strip -between said die members, during movement around said curved path; and means for causing successive pairs ofA said die members to move relatively to each other to successively cut gaskets of predetermined shape from said strip during its movement along said 4curved path.

13. A machine comprising in combination a plurality of pairs of cooperating relatively movable die members; a carrier for moving said pairs of different radii of curvature; strip-supporting means extending generally radially to said curved path located between each successive pair of cooperating die members and inclined to the normal cutting plane of said die members for taking up the slack in the area adjacent the inneredge of the curved strip to compensate for the differing radii of curvature between the radially inner and outer edges of said strip to prevent wrinkling of said strip between said die members during movement around said curved path; and means for causing successive pairs of said die members to move relatively to each other to successively cut gaskets of predetermined shape from said strip during its movement along said curved path.

14. A machine for applying annular ringshaped gaskets to container closures comprising a series of cooperating relatively movable die members; a rotary carrier for continuously moving said die members through a closed circuit lying substantially in a vertical plane; means for guiding a continuous strip of gasket material in an upward direction between said cooperating die members for movement therewith past a first operating station; means for bringing each of said pairs of die members together on said strip during movement thereof to form a circular blank from said strip and simultaneously cut an annular gasket from the edge of said blank and deposit the gasket in one of each of said pairs of die members, separating each pair of die members as it moves upwardly away from said first operating station and said strip of materia1, and before it reaches a second operating station; means for feeding a closure member by gravity between each pair of die members during movement thereof past said second operating station; means for bringing the formed gasket and the facing surface of the closure member together with sufficient pressure to insure adhesion during downward movement on said carrier; and means for releasing the composite closure and gasket for ejection by gravity from the lower part of said carrier.

15. A machine for cutting annular gaskets and applying the same to closure members comprising relatively movable cooperating die members, one of said members including a cutter cylinder, spaced inner and outer concentric circular cutters on the end of said cutter cylinder; means to guide a strip of gasket-forming material into a position between said cooperating die members; means for urging said -die members together to impale said strip and press an annular lgasket out `out lof said Vstrip 'into the annular space between said. concentric circular cutters; means lto separa-te sa'idfd'ie members and remove therefrom ftl'ie strip; means to position a `closure vmember in `alignment with said cutters; and means to remove -said annular rgasket from within said annular space foe tween the concentric `'circular Cutters yand deposit the Asame within said closure member.

1'6. A machin-e for cutting annular 'gaskets cornprising relatively movable cooperating olie members, lone *of sai'cl members including a cutter Cyli inder, spaced inner and outer concentric circular cutters on the end oli said cutter lcylinder; means to vguide `a Strip vof Agasket-forming material into a position between sai-'d cooperating die members; means or urging saiel die members together to impale 'said strip and press an annular gasket cut out of said strip Tinto the annular space between said concentric 'circular cutters; means to separate sa'i' die members and 'remove therefrom "the strip; means to position a closure member in alignment with said cutters; a transfer cylinder telesooped y'and slidrable within 'the annular space between the concentric circular cutters; and means lfor 'moving said transfer Cylinder through said annular :space to remove said annular gasket therefrom and 'deposit the same within said 61es-l References Cited 'in lthe file of this 'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,364,183 vDietrich Jan. 4, 1921 1,492,510 De vEscobales Apr. 29, 19.24 1,624,849 Steele et al Apr. 12, 19.27 1,669,623 .Messer Ma-y 1.5, 1928 1,706,874 De J ourno Mar. I26, .1929 1,731,537 Krause Oct. 15, 1929 1,750,708 Edwards Mar. 18, 1930 1,856,319 Cooper May 3, 1932 1,858,225 Frederick May 10, .1.932 1,958,137 Fowler. V May 8, 1934 1,970,396 yScherer Aug.. 14, 1934 1,996,048 Mad-ina Mar. 26 1935 2,103,860 Mazzeo Dec. 28, 1937 2,230,189 Ferngren Jan. 28, 1941 2,251,135 lknayan etal July V29., 1.941 2,278,643 Braun Apr. 7, 1942 2,275,525 Halmrast Mar.. 10, 1942 2,275,561 -Salfllin Mar. 1.0, 1942 2,540,195 Engler Feb. .6, 11951 2,548,304 Gora Apr. 10, .1951 

